SOMETIMES there is such as simple fix, you wonder why it wasn’t always done that way.

Such is the case with portable pumping stations for flood plains.

Invented and manufactured by Victorian company Campaspe Irrigation, part of the Darling Irrigation group, the transportable high capacity pumping stations are built into 20 foot shipping containers.

Campaspe Irrigation, project manager, Wayne Conway said the stations are capable of moving up to 18 mega-litres a day.

Campaspe Irrigation power portable pump stations with a John Deere engine

“A John Deere engine goes into the box, coupled to a centrifugal pump, filters, and with all the electrical gear,” he said.

“They’re self-contained.”

Mr Conway said many customers also ran generators or alternators off the side of the John Deere engine to provide access to three phase power on-site.

“They’re popular in low flood-prone lying areas,” he said.

“To mitigate floods or excess runoff.”

“And at other times to shift large volumes of water between channels or dams.”

Mr Conway said the system was able to be moved quickly and easily.

“Just half a dozen bolts and you can pick it up and move it away before the flood comes or to where it is needed.” he said.

“We’ve done these for the past four years, there are dozens out there.”

Mr Conway said the company preferred to use John Deere engines as he considered them reliable and built to the correct specification.

“​We rarely have an issue with them,” he said.

“We only use John Deere engines.

“If someone comes in here wanting a diesel-driven pump with high output – it’s always a John Deere engine.

“Farmers are familiar with them and know their qualities.”

John Deere engines are distributed through Power Equipment.

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